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NEW CANAAN, Conn.  New Canaan already won the conference championship in boys lacrosse this spring. Now, the Rams are aiming for the big hardware from the state tournament as well.

The third-seeded Rams rolled past second-seeded Avon, 17-6, in the semifinals of the Class M tournament Wednesday at Fairfield Ludlowe. New Canaan will play in the state title game Saturday at Brien McMahon against Darien, a 13-4 winner over Wilton on Wednesday in the other semifinal. Darien defeated New Canaan, 13-3, during the regular season.

Michael Bossidy paced a balanced attack with five goals for New Canaan. Matt Blasco added three, while Peter Kraus had a goal and three assists.

Our goal every year is to compete for the league and the state championship, New Canaan coach Alex Whitten said. Now we have a chance to do that. If were able to play at the level we can, well be able to compete for a state title. Were playing a very good Darien team that has a great program.

Wednesdays win was the 16th straight for the Rams, who led 7-0 after the first quarter and dominated possession time.

We came out flying, Whitten said. Thats what we wanted to do.

Just as suddenly, Avon got within 7-4 late in the second quarter. The game was still tight at 9-6 with less than four minutes remaining in the third quarter before New Canaan put it away for good.

The Rams scored four goals in 2:25, including a pair 8 seconds apart by Blasco and Bossidy. That stretched the margin to 13-6 entering the fourth quarter, and the Rams were on their way to the championship game.

Thats been a theme of ours all year, Whitten said. If were able to handle the ball and make good passes, we can score in bunches.

Whitten relishes the opportunity to play for a state title. Sixteen in a row is nice, the coach said. Seventeen in a row would be even better.

New Canaan's last state title came in 2003. The Rams have lost their last three appearances in state championship games, including a 12-2 setback to Wilton last year.